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The Cubs needed to DFA Casey Coleman because it takes two days for a player to clear waivers, and he probably wasn't placed on waivers until today.

Also, Coleman will NOT have the right to elect free-agency if he is outrighted... If he gets outrighted, he must accept the assignment.

And he will not be eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league free-agent (6YFA) until after the 2014 season, so the cubs would retain control over him for another couple of seasons.

Additionally, if Coleman does get outrighted, he will be eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft, although he almost certainly won't get selected, because why would an MLB club draft him for $50,000 with 2013 roster restrictions when they could have just claimed him off waivers for $20,000 with no 2013 roster restrictions?

Just to review (In case the Cubs need additional 40-man roster slots later in the off-season):..

3. James Russell, Jeff Samardzija, Ian Stewart, Luis Valbuena, and Michael Bowden have the right to be an Article XX-D minor league free-agent if outrighted;

4. Alberto Cabrera, Welington Castillo, Jaye Chapman, Rafael Dolis, and Travis Wood are Rule 55 players, so they CAN'T be outrighted to the minors until the player signs a 2013 contract (player can be non-tendered, released, or traded, however); Once the player signs a 2013 contract, the player CAN be outrighted without restriction, and the player would NOT be eligible to a minor league FA if outrighted;

5. Chris Rusin, Trey McNutt, Christian Villanueva, Logan Watkins, and Rob Whitenack have Draft Excluded status, so these players CAN'T be outrighted or optioned to the minors until 20 days prior to 2013 MLB Opening Day. (they can be non-tendered, traded, or released, however);

The Cubs need to make room for a center fielder, third baseman, and possibly another starting pitcher. If Tony Zych makes the team out of spring training (I don't think he will but he might get to start in AAA this season) they eventually need another spot for him but that is months away.

Stewart should be non-tendered by the end of the week. Rusin will be the next to go. He's 26 and hasn't shown he can pitch effectively at the ML level. I'd like to see McNutt and Vitters traded as I don't believe they have a short or long term place in this organization.

If they cut Stewart, DFA Rusin, and find a taker for 2 of their least successful top prospects of the last several seasons, that clears 4 spaces. That would bring the 40 man down to 35 spots. If they pick a player in the Rule 5 draft, that brings it back up to 36 leaving 4 spots to fill with the (hopefully) 3 new players they'll pick up for 3rd, center, and for the starting rotation.